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cnbc.com
Micron, Nvidia fall after SK Hynix plunges nearly 15% as chip sell-off deepens
Semiconductor stocks fell in premarket trading on Tuesday, extending a rout in chipmakers after another weak session on Wall Street.
theguardian.com
AI sell-off deepens as chip stocks slump in market retreat - business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsGames Workshop are among the fallers in London, after the gaming company reported a drop in licensing revenue and an increased bill from Donald Trump’s tariffs.The company – which has been a stock market darling in recent years – told the City it expects to pay £13m in US tariffs in the 2026-27 financial year.Well, I thought this would be drama free, how wrong I was. During the period we paid c.£12 million in new US tariffs. Following the US Supreme Court ruling we reclaimed £7.8 million of tariffs for the period to February 2026. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Schools to offer technical subjects to pupils from age 14 in England, Burnham says
The government wants pupils to take courses like AI and manufacturing which are linked to local jobs.
bbc.co.uk
Chip stocks slide in US and Asia as AI jitters rattle investors
Trading on South Korea's Kospi index was paused temporarily on Tuesday morning after slumping by 8%.
cnbc.com
Oil extends losses as a pause in U.S.-Iran hostilities raises de-escalation hopes
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday en route to Michigan, Trump dismissed suggestions that the U.S. was running short on weapons.
bbc.co.uk
Should I still travel to France or Spain on holiday?
For those who have upcoming holidays to the affected regions, here is what you should know about how it might impact your plans.
theguardian.com
Barclays increases bonus pool by nearly 30% as calls grow for UK bank tax
TUC leader says lender’s ‘bonanza’ quarterly profits of £3.3bn mean it ‘can easily afford to pay more tax’Business live – latest updatesBarclays has increased its banker bonus pool by nearly 30% after a rise in second-quarter profits that has fuelled calls for a tax raid on UK lenders to help fund Andy Burnham’s spending plans.Fresh corporate filings released on Tuesday showed the bank put £1.3bn towards its bonus pool for the first half of the year. That figure, which includes annual and deferred bonuses, was up from £1bn last year. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Some people's chats with Claude AI found to be publicly available online
Hundreds of conversations with Anthropic’s chatbot were discovered as being publicly accessible.
cnbc.com
Iran hosts Hormuz calls with Saudi Arabia, Oman as Trump hails ‘good talks’
Talks over the Strait of Hormuz continue as Iran's foreign ministry discussed the strategically vital maritime passage with Saudi and Omani counterparts.
bbc.co.uk
The way you look can help you get a job - here's how
While you need to answer the questions in an interview, your appearance and mannerisms are also crucial.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Chipping away at the AI boom
Another sharp sell-off in AI-related stocks shows the cracks could be worsening in the tech bull market.
theguardian.com
We booked a Travelodge but were forced to move hotel after 1am
We told it of our 11pm arrival time but when we got there our room was no longer available as it had ‘overbooked’I booked and paid for a room in the Travelodge London King’s Cross Royal Scot hotel six weeks in advance. It was for myself and my husband, who has heart disease and dementia.I had called the hotel on the day of arrival to advise that we would be checking in at 11pm and was told that was fine. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Johnson & Johnson to pay $5.5bn settlement in talc cancer lawsuit
Landmark deal covers about 76,000 claims and could end contentious, decade-long legal battleJohnson & Johnson said it would pay an estimated $5.5bn to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging its baby powder and other talc products caused ovarian cancer, in a landmark deal that could end a contentious, decade-long legal battle.Johnson & Johnson on Monday said the settlement covers about 76,000 claims, including ones consolidated in a federal court in New Jersey, and related cases in state court, representing nearly all of the remaining talc claims against the company. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Blow to NHS as Royal Mail raises prices for bulk users by a third
Average 25% increase for letters such as marketing, bills and medical appointment notices from 5 OctoberRoyal Mail will increase the price of its wholesale postal service by as much as a third, in a multimillion-pound blow to the NHS and other large organisations.The postal company has warned customers who use its wholesale postal service for mail including marketing letters, household bills and medical appointment notices that it is raising prices by an average of 25% from 5 October. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham has made a bold start – but convincing people that change is possible will take much more | Frances Ryan
The new PM’s greatest task has long weighed down the left: convincing voters there are actually better days aheadThis is the danger zone. The period when one prime minister leaves office and the next takes over can inspire either dread or delight: a few days in which the country forms a gut reaction to the new government.One week on, Andy Burnham has well and truly ditched the slow fatalism that marked Keir Starmer’s early days in power, in favour of the message that help is on the way: from cost of living support to a pledge to end rough sleeping and Monday’s commitment to fix the social care system. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Michelin-starred chef calls for VAT cut for restaurants
Sat Bains offers deli versions of some of his dishes to promote local businesses facing high costs.
theguardian.com
Train drivers in Great Britain consider strike action over lack of toilets
Unions say basic needs still not being met a year after regulator told operators to improve facilitiesTrain drivers are considering strike action over a lack of toilets, with unions saying basic needs are still not addressed a year after the rail regulator told operators to provide more facilities and breaks.Aslef said it was “putting the industry on notice”. The train drivers’ union added that companies had failed to deliver adequate toilets and reduce maximum driving times without a toilet break. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Indonesian stocks stage massive turnaround, hitting bull market status after clocking a five-year low just last month
Attractive valuations, quick intervention by regulators and a return of foreign investors have helped propel Indonesian stocks reach bull-market status.
cnbc.com
India's Gen Z forced Modi to listen, respond and act — exposing chinks in the ruling party's armor
In a rare occurrence, Modi's government was forced to concede demands of Gen Z protesters, underscoring their rising influence in the country's polity.
bbc.co.uk
Johnson & Johnson offers up to $5.5bn to settle baby powder lawsuits
The proposed settlement aims to close a years-long legal battle over claims its talcs products cause cancer.
theguardian.com
Meta disregarded its own research on teen harm, Tennessee lawyers tell jury
In opening statements, state argued Meta’s own research showed it harmed teens while firm’s attorneys pointed to transparencyThe long-awaited trial between the social media company Meta and the state of Tennessee began proceedings on Monday. Attorneys for Tennessee told a jury in Nashville that Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, disregarded internal research about its platform’s impact on teenagers, while the company sought to maximize profit from those young users.During opening statements in a seven-week trial in state court, the state’s lawyers said Meta researchers repeatedly flagged teenagers’ compulsive use of the platform – leading to eating disorders, depression and self-harm. But despite those warnings, Meta did not disable features such as autoplay, notifications and infinite scroll which, the lawyers said, were designed to keep teens on Instagram as long as possible and increase the number of ads they viewed. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
U.S. and Korean tech stocks are now tightly linked — and that could be a worry for investors
The 60-day correlation between the Kospi and Nasdaq 100 recently climbed to about 0.50, its highest level since 2021, according to data provided by Rayliant.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Apple reclaims its crown, SpaceX returns to Earth
Nvidia has been dethroned by Apple, with the company reaching a market cap of $4.95 trillion.
cnbc.com
Microsoft touts cost-saving AI model for cybersecurity
Microsoft says that when integrated with OpenAI's GPT-5.4, its new cybersecurity model can beat Anthropic's new Mythos 5.
cnbc.com
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei says AI company isn't advocating for ban of open-weight models
Critics have questioned why Anthropic didn't sign an industry letter last week in support of open-weight models.
bbc.co.uk
Is it time to stop using glue and labels on paper?
Labels and adhesives can prevent paper from being recycled but there's new tech aimed at changing that.
cnbc.com
CNBC's The China Connection newsletter: A U.S.-China debate that's becoming bigger than tariffs
The AI race is heating up so fast this summer that it's reshaping national priorities in the U.S. and China.
cnbc.com
Nvidia and OpenAI in talks for up to $250 billion backstop to fund AI infrastructure plans
The backstop would let OpenAI raise debt for a data center campus in Pike County, Ohio, on the strength of Nvidia's credit.
cnbc.com
SpaceX has now lost the equivalent of a full Tesla in market capitalization
Elon Musk's space company has wiped off more than $1.2 trillion in market cap since hitting a high of $225.64 per share in June.
cnbc.com
Apple ends day as world's most valuable company, passing Nvidia
Nvidia had held the top spot as the most valuable company since June 2025, when it took the crown from Microsoft.
cnbc.com
Netanyahu, Zelenskyy come to DC for Graham's funeral, meetings with Trump amid wars
The funeral for Sen. Lindsey Graham is bringing world leaders to Washington at a time when many are eager to meet with President Donald Trump amid wars.
bbc.co.uk
Cracker Barrel chief executive steps down a year after rebrand chaos
Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino will exit following customer backlash over modern logo redesign.
cnbc.com
CME launches single stock futures enabling investors to trade SpaceX, Micron and others 23 hours a day
CME Group on Monday launched cash-settled single-stock futures on 55 U.S. equities, along with micro-sized contracts on 22 names.
theguardian.com
Social care in England: how could we pay to fix a ‘broken system’?
Many across the political spectrum agree the system needs fixing – but there is no consensus on how to fund changeThe prime minister, Andy Burnham, has said the adult social care system in England is broken and needs fixing. This is a view commonly shared by policymakers across the political spectrum, though there are sharper differences on how to pay for reform to what is widely seen as an outdated, fragile system held together by “sticking plasters and glue” and propped up by an army of unpaid carers.Burnham previously headed an earlier unsuccessful legislative attempt to reform English adult social care while secretary of state for health in 2010 (it was brought low by Tory claims it would be funded through a “death tax”). He acknowledges it could be a long and costly process but has said he won’t flinch from big policy decisions and is prepared to “expend a lot of political capital” on his ambitions. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
U.S. and Iran pause fighting, Trump dismisses concerns of dwindling stockpiles
A temporary pause to the U.S.-Iran conflict appeared to hold on Monday, after negotiations over a lasting peace faced fresh hurdles over the weekend.
theguardian.com
Oil prices fall as US pauses strikes on Iran over strait of Hormuz
Brent crude drops 9% to below $88 a barrel, prompting UK government bond yields to fallOil prices have dropped sharply as traders bet that a pause in US attacks on Iran could prevent an escalation in the conflict that would further restrict global supply.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil, initially fell 9% to below $88 a barrel on Monday after climbing to $100 last week, when the Iran-aligned Houthis attacked Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Hull funeral director broke families’ trust on ‘almost industrial scale’, court hears
Robert Bush, owner of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, left bodies ‘rotting away’, family members sayA fraudulent funeral director broke the trust of families on an “almost industrial scale” as their loved ones’ bodies were left “rotting away”, a court has heard.Robert Bush, owner of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, appeared at Hull crown court on Monday for a five-day sentencing hearing. He previously pleaded guilty to 67 offences, including 30 counts of preventing lawful and decent burial. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Cracker Barrel CEO to step down after overseeing logo backlash last year
Julie Masino faced criticism as restaurant chain was called ‘woke’ and ‘soulless’ after unveiling modernized logoCracker Barrel’s CEO, Julie Masino, is stepping down, the restaurant announced on Monday, nearly a year after the company was swept into a political maelstrom over proposed modernizations to its branding.Critics on social media denounced the Tennessee-based rustic restaurant chain as “woke” as well as “sterile and soulless” after it unveiled an updated logo that removed Uncle Herschel, the overall-clad man leaning against a barrel in the restaurant’s original logo, last August. Donald Trump weighed in on the updates soon after, posting: “WTF is wrong with Cracker Barrel?!” and demanding on social media that the company “admit a mistake”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Private equity finds soft takeover targets in London – yet again | Nils Pratley
Offer for DCC Energy leaves total of completed or agreed deals within FTSE 100 this year at five, but has Westminster noticed?DCC, one of FTSE 100’s biggest energy firms, agrees £5.75bn takeoverAnd another one goes. Dublin-based DCC Energy is a lower-profile member of the FTSE 100, but they all count. We’re now at five completed or agreed takeovers within London’s leading index this year – and it’s still only July.The subplot at DCC was vocal opposition from a few shareholders who thought the private equity groups KKR and Energy Capital Partners, a unit of Bridgepoint, should be paying more than the £5.75bn, or £65.25 a share, at which the board has rolled over. Fidelity International and Aviva Investors were to the fore, as well as DCC’s founder. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Average income down in real terms, survey says
The results of the 2023/24 Household Expenditure Survey have been published.
theguardian.com
No, Centrica, customers don’t prefer bots to humans | Letter
Charles MacKinnon disagrees with the British Gas owner’s justification for cutting 1,300 jobsAccording to Centrica’s boss, Chris O’Shea, most people using British Gas prefer to talk to a chatbot rather than a person (Customers prefer AI chatbots, says British Gas owner as 1,300 call centre and back office jobs axed, 23 July).He says that 90% of his customers prefer to use digital channels than speak to a person in the first instance, and that the number of customer calls has fallen by 20%. Well, this is hardly surprising, given the difficulty of getting through to a real person. Finding a telephone number to do so is a challenge in itself, and then there are all the layers of numbers and deflections to encourage use of the digital channels while you are kept on hold at your own cost before you can get to an employee. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Oil price dives as US and Iran pause attacks
The US says attacks on Iran have been halted to give "talks some space", raising hopes of a resolution to the conflict.
cnbc.com
Singapore tightens monetary policy in surprise move as rising oil prices rekindle inflation risk
Unlike most central banks, the MAS manages medium-term price stability by managing the Singapore dollar exchange rate against a trade-weighted basket of currencies.
cnbc.com
Europe wildfire in pictures: Gigantic fire cloud engulfing France, Spain regions
A rare wildfire spreading across France's Bordeaux region and has spread to Western Madrid is fire cloud that can generate its own thunderstorms.
cnbc.com
Chipmaker CXMT’s 466% market debut surge makes it the most valuable China-listed company
The Hefei-based company raised 57.92 billion yuan ($8.6 billion) after pricing its IPO at 8.66 yuan per share.
bbc.co.uk
Businessman and philanthropist Sir Ian Wood dies aged 84
The Aberdeen-based businessman turned his family's boat repair firm into an oil and gas engineering giant.
theguardian.com
Tariffs are Trump’s favorite plaything – and his justifications are absurd | Steven Greenhouse
The president is using forced labor as a pretext to slap tariffs on countries around the worldWith the midterm elections less than four months away, it’s a precarious time for Donald Trump and Republicans: Trump’s war against Iran is going badly, his approval ratings are in the toilet, gas prices are soaring and pushing up inflation, and nation after nation is furious about Trump’s insults, bullying and ugly American unilateralism.So amid all this mess, what does Trump do? He turns to his favorite economic plaything: tariffs. On Monday, Trump signed orders to slap a 50% tariff on many Canadian goods, and four days later, he imposed across-the-board 10% or 12.5% tariffs on goods from more than 80 countries. Trump was no doubt thumping his chest, while millions of people overseas were dumping on him for yet another unnecessary, hostile act. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Spain and France wildfires force more than 300,000 to flee as Macron calls crisis meeting
The impact of a gigantic wildfire ravaging France's Bordeaux region and Spain has been like a "clap of thunder" for the local economy, a minister said.
cnbc.com
Why Trump's new tariff blitz is very different this time around
President Trump on Friday launched a fresh round of tariffs targeting 60 trading partners, including the European Union, China and the U.K.
theguardian.com
AstraZeneca boss urges western drugmakers to move at ‘Chinese speed’
Europe and US risk being outpaced on innovation, as happened in the car industry, warns Pascal SoriotAstraZeneca must operate at “Chinese speed” to ensure it does not suffer the fate of the western automotive industry by losing out to more innovative rivals, the drug company’s boss has said.The FTSE 100 company is watching the rise of China’s pharmaceutical industry closely and collaborating to take drugs to global markets, but its chief executive, Pascal Soriot, said the US and European pharmaceutical sectors must focus on increasing the speed of innovation. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The US agency that fights workplace discrimination just voted to stop measuring it | Jamil Smith
Republicans have moved to dismantle a 60-year-old demographic reporting system. Now the agency wants to choose what it seesWorkplace discrimination isolates. When a Black manager is passed over for a promotion, or a pregnant worker is quietly sidelined, they are left with a polite excuse and a lingering suspicion. They cannot see the company-wide spreadsheet. They cannot know if others are hitting the same invisible wall. For 60 years, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has kept a spreadsheet of its own: an annual demographic snapshot compiled from employer reports. That nationwide record lets the agency see beyond any one complaint.Last Tuesday, however, the EEOC’s Republican majority voted 2–1 to begin dismantling that reporting system. Two days later, the proposal entered the Federal Register, arguing that requiring employers to classify workers by race and sex may itself violate the constitutional guarantee of equal protection. The rule is not final: comments are due on 24 August, and a hearing is set for 11 August. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'I fear for wee families' - home heating oil jumps £100 in three weeks
The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland says the price rise is in direct response to the US-Iran conflict.
cnbc.com
Nvidia, SpaceX, Microsoft launch AI safety initiative as OpenAI cyberattack fallout continues
Microsoft, SpaceX, Palantir, alongside dozens of other tech companies from the U.S. and Europe, have joined the Open Secure AI Alliance.
theguardian.com
DCC, one of FTSE 100’s biggest energy firms, agrees £5.75bn takeover
KKR and Energy Capital Partners poised to buy firm despite misgivings from founder and biggest shareholdersNils Pratley: Private equity finds soft takeover targets in London – yet againOne of the biggest energy businesses listed on the London Stock Exchange has agreed a controversial £5.7bn takeover by private equity, adding to the growing exodus of companies from the UK market.The US private equity groups KKR and Energy Capital Partners are poised to buy DCC Energy after the company’s board recommended the offer despite misgivings from its founder and biggest shareholders. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
PM urged to uphold climate pledges made as mayor and ban new North Sea oil drilling
Experts who helped Burnham draw up Manchester carbon neutral pledge say backtracking would send wrong message amid wildfires and heatwavesLeading climate scientists who created Greater Manchester’s carbon neutral by 2038 commitment are urging Andy Burnham to unequivocally reject new drilling in the North Sea.In a letter to the prime minister they said he, as mayor of Greater Manchester, had unveiled one of the UK’s most ambitious local climate programmes that tackled housing, green growth and public transport. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Chinese chipmaker shares surge nearly 470% in blockbuster stock market debut
The company's shares soared by nearly 470% in its market debut, as the AI boom drives chip demand.
cnbc.com
Cocoa prices are easing. So why is chocolate still so expensive?
Chocolate firms look to win shoppers back with premium products and social media trends after poor weather conditions, tariffs, and the Iran war hit sales.
cnbc.com
Finland’s radical answer to renewable energy’s biggest headache: The world’s largest sand battery
A small Finnish town has turned to the world's largest commercial sand battery to tackle a major hurdle in the energy transition: intermittency.
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham vows to use his ‘political capital’ to fix social care system
PM says that without rapid action the NHS could effectively collapse, in first full interview since entering No 10Andy Burnham has promised to use “whatever political capital I have” to finally fix the crumbling social care system in England, saying that without rapid action the NHS could effectively collapse.In his first full interview since becoming prime minister last week, Burnham said he could not put a timetable on the arrival of a new system for social care but that its creation would take time. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Ukrainian startup taking the missile fight deep into Russia
Fire Point makes 100 long-range missiles and thousands of drones a month and is vital to Kyiv’s deep-strike capability, says CEO Iryna TerekhUkraine’s leading arms company is manufacturing about 100 long-range Flamingo cruise missiles a month, a rate able to support an enduring campaign of deep strike against targets hundreds of miles inside Russia.Fire Point is also making FP-1 and FP-2 fixed-wing drones at a rate of “hundreds per day”, according to chief executive Iryna Terekh. Manufacturing at scale is restarting after a pause caused by the delay in signing off €90bn of EU lending to Ukraine. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Iran attacks halt and wildfires rage across Europe
Crude prices are sinking as negotiations between Iran and the U.S. replace the tit-for-tat attacks that have dominated the last few weeks.
theguardian.com
I risk losing my livelihood because Nissan failed to repair my car
I’m a self-employed driving instructor and I’m running out of cash to hire a replacement dual-control vehicleMy livelihood as a self-employed driving instructor is under threat owing to Nissan’s failure to repair my leased dual-control car.It has been off the road awaiting a spare part for three months, and I’ve now been told it will take at least a further month to arrive. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Liberty embraces sewing boom with craft classes as it expands fabrics section
London store also plans bigger haberdashery area, where it will hold autumn workshops for craftersLiberty has more than doubled the size of its fabrics department as it prepares to embrace the social media interest in sewing by hosting crafting classes this autumn.Fabric sales rose 11% last year at the central London department store, which opened near Oxford Circus in 1924, and Liberty is expecting a similar pace of growth this year as crafters are joined by wealthy overseas shoppers who stock up on luxury fabrics to be tailored into bespoke outfits in their home countries. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Will summer discounts make family days out cheaper?
Parents welcome summer discounts but say days out can still cost more than £100.
cnbc.com
New UK Prime Minister Burnham says he would be prepared to call out Trump
Burnham said he had a phone conversation with Trump on Monday when he officially took on the role, describing it as "a good exchange".
theguardian.com
Heathrow expansion would take thousands of jobs from other UK regions, report finds
Airports in England and Wales are likely to lose millions of passengers if third runway goes ahead, DfT economic paper shows Expanding Heathrow airport will take thousands of jobs from other regions of the UK, including almost 10,000 from the West Midlands alone, according to an analysis of the government’s own forecasts.An economic paper published by the Department for Transport last month shows that airports in England and Wales are likely to lose millions of passengers if Heathrow builds a third runway, in a significant blow to regional jobs. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Shein swings to $99m loss as Trump tariffs hit sales
The announcement comes as the fast fashion giant prepares for its stock market debut in Hong Kong.
cnbc.com
China industrial profit growth slows again in June as retreating oil prices sap earnings lift
Corporate earnings have staged one of the strongest turnarounds in the economy this year, swinging from barely positive growth in 2025 to double-digit gains.
theguardian.com
How Palantir got into the NHS - podcast
The investigative journalist Lucas Amin reports on how the tech company Palantir won a £330m contract with the NHS … and what happened once its software was introducedHow did Palantir – sometimes described as ‘the world’s scariest company’ – start working with the NHS?The investigative journalist Lucas Amin shares the findings of his and his colleague Peter Geoghegan’s investigation into the tech company and its relationship with the UK’s public health service – and tells a story of controversial politicians, paid-for political access, and shocking loopholes in UK lobbying regulations. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Would you choose £50,000 over the chance of £1m?
The vast majority of people - particularly women - answer a survey saying they'd take the certainty over chance.
cnbc.com
Ukraine strikes Iranian vessels in Caspian Sea, Tehran accuses Kyiv of 'hostile and criminal act'
The latest attacks by Ukraine, combined with Saudi military strikes on Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen, represent a widening of the Middle East conflict.
theguardian.com
Will prediction market ‘catch fire’ in UK, replicating US boom?
World Cup and events like Clacton byelection is driving interest in sites such as Polymarket, with UK gamblers easily able to sidestep regulationWith more plot twists than a spy thriller, Argentina’s 3-2 victory over Egypt was one of the World Cup’s most unpredictable matches.But in one living room in Reading, to the astonishment of his 16-year-old son, a football clairvoyant appeared to know exactly what would happen next. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Burnham bounce’ risks deflating unless focus remains on struggling households | Richard Partington
UK’s inequalities expose splits in consumer economy, with spending suffering and a decline in savings among the poorestA “Burnham bounce”, sunshine and a strong World Cup run for the England men’s football team. Could this be a turnaround moment for Britain’s struggling consumer economy or yet another false start for the UK’s spluttering growth engine?Last week the data company GfK credited Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster politics for lifting UK consumer confidence at its fastest monthly pace for almost three years in June. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
From the strait of Hormuz to the North Sea, a global maritime war rages around us – and more than the price of oil is at stake | Simon Tisdall
The collapse of the rules-based order is not confined to the land: we’re imperilled as centuries of maritime cooperation sink beneath the wavesThe US military campaign to protect merchant shipping from Iranian attacks by asserting direct maritime control in the strait of Hormuz is not an idea unique to Donald Trump’s administration. Almost exactly 200 years ago, in the period 1825-27, a powerful US naval squadron led by Commodore John Rodgers was sent to the Mediterranean to defend American ships from the depredations of Greek corsairs and pirates.For all the new-minted republic’s brave talk of liberty, the US squadron did not assist Greece’s ongoing “regime change” struggle for independence from the Ottoman empire. Its sole, self-serving purpose was to defend US trade, markets and business interests. After abandoning his call for a people’s revolution in Tehran, this, too, is what Trump’s reckless war with Iran has now boiled down to.Simon Tisdall is a Guardian foreign affairs commentator Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘We count every litre’: how Cuba’s energy crisis sparked a daily struggle for water
Power cuts not only leave people in the dark but leave taps dry, forcing millions of Cubans to spend their days fetching water any way they canIn the cramped kitchen of her flat in Havana’s Chinatown, Mirella Martínez pushes an old metal trolley stacked with empty jerrycans. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she fans herself gently. “It’s so hot!” she says, as the electric fans remain still due to another power outage that has left her flat sweltering in near darkness for hours.Mirella Martínez’s flat in Havana has been without running water for nearly three years Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Weekday games were amazing’: pubs toast extra £150m in World Cup sales
England’s progress provides best football-related uplift of recent years, with one pub too packed to host its Dolly Parton tributeLate opening hours and England’s progress to the semi-final of an expanded World Cup helped provide the best football-related uplift of recent years for pubs, figures suggest.Pubs poured 30m extra pints over the course of the tournament compared with a normal trading period, with busy pumps delivering £150m in added sales, according to the British Beer & Pubs Association (BBPA). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘I never thought I’d fall for a scam’: the fake Spotify emails that put you at risk of fraud
Criminals send victims to a cloned site that collects login, personal and payment detailsYou have had a Spotify account for years and your credit card is linked for the monthly payments. When an email arrives telling you that your payment couldn’t be processed you are not surprised as the expiry date on the card is soon.“We encountered an issue while processing your recent payment,” it says. “To keep your access active and avoid interruption, please review and update your information.” Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Rental searches for pet friendly properties drop after law change
Agents say some renters wrongly believe permission to have a pet is guaranteed.
bbc.co.uk
Money Box
What might the new team at the top of government mean for your money?
theguardian.com
Can Japan avoid a Liz Truss-style shock as its PM embarks on a giant spending spree?
Sanae Takaichi’s blueprint to inject £1.7tn and double economic growth leaves many investors fearfulInternational investors are asking where Japan’s prime minister will find the ¥370tn (£1.7tn) of extra cash that she wants to invest in 17 industrial sectors by 2040.Such is the scale of spending by Sanae Takaichi’s coalition government that many in her own party fear she is about to blow up the Japanese economy, triggering a Liz Truss-style economic shock. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘I’m over the moon’: New York’s small business owners rejoice as Mamdani cuts red tape
Initiatives including cutting permits just to serve ice-cream amount to a sweeping program of deregulationRed Scare? The democratic socialist mayor of New York City spent this week talking about red tape.On Tuesday, Zohran Mamdani – the politician at the center of a revived rightwing panic about socialists and purported communists winning elections across America - posted a video on X of himself putting a sheet of paper with the phrase “RED TAPE” into a paper shredder. Other pieces of paper, with phrases such as “cumbersome fees and fines” and “a permit you need just to serve ice-cream”, were shredded too. The video, set to Wu Tang Clan’s If Time Is Money, shows Mamdani joining a handful of city officials and small business owners throwing the resulting paper shreds into the air like confetti. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Summer holiday car hire: drive a great deal and avoid hidden fees
Unclear terms and expensive extras can turn what seemed like a cheap rental into a costly oneIt is not too late to get a good deal on your holiday car rental, even if you have booked already and are travelling soon. But there are many pitfalls to avoid so that you do not end up paying over the odds.A survey from Which? found that one in eight people who had hired a car in the past two years had ended up paying more than they were first quoted. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK savings deals: the heat is on as banks offer up to 8%
Don’t delay in taking advantage of the competition that is pushing up interest rates and increasing choice, experts sayIt is shaping up to be a decent summer for savers as fierce competition among providers pushes up interest rates and increases choice.You can currently get instant- and easy-access accounts that pay up to 5% interest, and fixed-rate savings bonds that pay almost that much. Meanwhile, those looking for a regular savings account can now get up to 8%. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘It’s not fair’: cafe owners frustrated over exclusion from business rates cut
Business owners in England say prioritising venues selling alcohol leaves vital community spaces behind Ferdinand Geus is proud of the positive, global impact his small speciality coffee business is having.“Around 3,000 small, family-owned farms in Yemen rely on us – we’ve persuaded many to stop growing khat, the drug, and start growing coffee instead,” said the business manager of Sheba Coffee, which supplies Yemeni coffee beans to independent cafes across the world, including the UK. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham opens No 10 North in Manchester – video
The prime minister opened a new government base in Manchester, called No 10 North, intended to signal a shift away from what he said had been decades of economic decision-making centred in London. Heron House is temporarily accommodating No 10 North while a brownfield site just outside the city is being developed where it is expected to relocate permanentlyUK politics live – latest updates Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump gifts Saudi Arabia a nuclear win | Politics Weekly America
Donald Trump has announced a landmark nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia while pressing ahead with efforts to stop Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. What’s driving Trump’s new agreement with Riyadh? And how is it likely to be received at home and across the Gulf?Jonathan Freedland speaks to Robert Jimison, who covers Congress for the New York Times with a focus on defence and foreign policy, about what the agreement contains, why it matters and the political challenges it could face Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
How much money do you give for a wedding gift?
You've been invited by the happy couple, but they've asked for cash - not presents. North Londoners tell us what they would do.
bbc.co.uk
Business Daily
What tech earnings reveal about AI investment and Donald Trump's tariff talks
theguardian.com
Gary Lineker calls for Burnham to introduce wealth tax - The Latest
Millionaires including former footballer Gary Lineker are asking Andy Burnham to tax their wealth more. More than 100 wealthy Brits have signed an open letter to the prime minister, saying: ‘We want you to tax us. We can afford it.’ So should the government introduce a wealth tax? And why is the idea getting more popular? Nosheen Iqbal speaks to columnist and senior economics commentator Aditya Chakrabortty Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
What about cuts for cafes and hotels?
The new PM has announced at 20% business rate cut for pubs, clubs and live music venues in England,
bbc.co.uk
What we know about 20% cut to some business rates
Pubs, clubs and live music venues in England will get a 20% cut in business rates from April.
cnbc.com
Sony’s 'ironic' PlayStation disc decision upends gamer conventions and threatens a $7 billion resale market
In 2013, Sony tweaked Xbox by showing how easy it was to share a PlayStation disc. Now, gamers say Sony has become exactly what it mocked.
bbc.co.uk
The 20-somethings betting big on tech stocks
The BBC hears from people about the risks and rewards of investing in technology shares.
bbc.co.uk
This farmer wanted to quit the cocaine industry - he couldn't
Colombians who grow cocaine's raw material bemoan a lack of support to help them switch crops.
bbc.co.uk
Is tracking your food purchases good for your health?
Food tracking apps are popular, but are they a good way to make us eat a healthier diet?
bbc.co.uk
New era for Gibraltar with removal of 118-year-old border controls with Spain
It is hoped that free movement between the UK territory and Spain will provide an economic boost.
bbc.co.uk
Wealthy AI workers send San Francisco house prices soaring
The median cost of a home in the city is now $1.7m, a record high, according to the latest figures.
bbc.co.uk
Robots available for rent: But what can they do?
Robotics tech is changing fast, so for many it makes sense to rent a robot.
bbc.co.uk
AI is 'not smart' so what's next in artificial intelligence?
Leading AI researcher Yan LeCun has a start-up which is developing a more flexible AI system.
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
bbc.co.uk
The furious dispute over what caused Air India flight 171 to crash
The final conclusions of the investigation have yet to be published, although more could become apparent in the coming days.
bbc.co.uk
How the High Street became a window on our political instability
High Streets have declined in recent years. What does this tell us about the UK?
bbc.co.uk
The £5 coffee that tells a story of global economic turmoil
Coffees at some city centre outlets now cost £5. It's a story of tariffs, the climate, Gen Z cultural tastes, and savvy coffee farmers playing the market, writes Faisal Islam
bbc.co.uk
The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages
What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?
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